Big Bend Power Plant Fishing

cseng123

I am visiting my buddy this weekend over in Tampa and we are going to give the power plant a shot. I have never fished there before, and he isnt familiar with saltwater fishing. We are planning to wade/fish from shore. Any advice on where to go around there? Thanks

Prop Blast

I have not fished there from the shore, so I'm not sure what the exact techniques would be.

I will tell you that you DON'T have to be right in the warm water outflow at the plant. I'd move further away from there - down current. The warm water extends out further than a lot of people realize. I also prefer to use artificials to search out fish. If you use natural baits on the bottom, it can be sailcat city.

PB

Vertigo

I don't think you can get to the power plant without a boat, and if you have a boat, why wade? If the tide is right run right up to the power plant discharge, then head North along the shoreline/oyster bars. There are miles of hot spots in that area if you can get to them without ruining a prop or skeg. Go slow and fish all the cuts and good looking bars.

cseng123

I dont have a boat Vertigo thats why im forced to wade. Ive heard that you can fish from land there so thats what im going to do. Ill definitely work the oyster bars if I can reach them. Thanks for your help

Beached angler

If I'm thinking of the same power plant. You have to swim, a channel to even get close. Look it up on google maps . I'm thinking about the power plant in weddon

cseng123

Its the TECO powerplant in Apollo beach.

Limey

no way to get to the power plant, you can fish the outflow from the south side of the cut by coming in from Apollo Beach then turning north up the end.

cseng123

Thanks Limey. Thats what ill plan on doing. Hopefully the warm water keeps the bite on

Limey

That water is plenty hot enough, I've learnt do not put shrimp in the live well and have the pump running or you will have dead shrimp

davmoha

There is a park at the end of Apollo beach where you can get out and walk to great fishing across from the power plant. The water is warm there and there is a nice channel that holds fish. Fishing the point is a great spot to try on a moving tide. Friends of mine have been catching pompano, cobia, and snook using cut bait. He said you have to weed through a bunch of sharks using that method. Good luck,

David M.